“Hiiiii,” she said, stretching the word out. “Umm, we’re looking to book passage to Neral’s moon. There’s a marriage festival happening there that we’ve been invited to, and we were wondering about your rates?”

The Twi’lek gave Avon a tight smile. “Sorry, this is a Graf Industries vessel. I’m not allowed to take any passengers they don’t assign me.”

“So, you don’t own it, then?” Vernestra said, and the Twi’lek shook his head, his twin lekku adding emphasis to the response.

“No. I just told you it’s owned by Graf Industries.”

“Great,” Vernestra said. Then her gaze went intense as she stared at the pilot. “You will give us use of your ship,” she said, waving her hand in front of his face.

The pilot blinked and then smiled. “Of course. Where are you going?”

“I don’t think we want to take him with us,” Avon said in a low voice, and Vernestra gave a slight nod.

“You will remain here and let us pilot ourselves. You will go and visit loved ones in the meantime.”

“Yeah,” the pilot said, gaze unfocused and distant. “I haven’t seen my yaya in so long.…”

He wandered off, and Avon stared at Vernestra. “I can’t believe that worked.”

Vernestra laughed. “It usually does.”


Star Wars The High Republic Defy the Storm Chapter 12